EXHIBITION BABY SHOW

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 9, 2 March 1907, Page 17

EXHIBITION BABY SHOW

Continued from Supplement. to the room. Some evidently felt that their offspring had no chance of a prize: for on coming out and being met by the expectant fathers, all that vouchsafed to their eager inquiries was a short, curt “Here catch hold of the blessed child.” MR. MUNRO AS JUDGE. Mr. G. S. Munro, the hardy and versatile general manager, had qualified himself in some sort for the invidious task of judge by officiating in a like capacity at the recent Exhibition Dog Show. Between a dog show and a baby show there are points of similarity and difference, aa was demonstrated by yesterday’s event. The skill and minute attention given to the general “ get - up ” of the exhibits, so that they may strike the judge’s eye to the best advantage, are about equal, but in the dog show there is immeasurably more science. There points are counted after a recognised system, but in the human show the appraisement would seem to be very largely a matter of individual opinion. It certainly was not expected tliat any of the exhibitors, except the lucky ones, would agree in the awards. It is this unscientific aspect of the matter, probably, which makes a. baby exhibition a free show, while a display of dogs is accounted worth at least a shilling of any one’s money to see. Still, yesterday’s array of babies would have gladdened the heart of Dr. Truby King. Infants have not yet become a curiosity, for they were certainly there in quantity, and the general quality was also high. It was so high, and seemingly so equal, that the heart of Mr. G. S. Munro, one of the three judges, must have quailed within him. A man of less intrepid nature might have been excused for finding, at the. final moment, that some sudden indisposition would not let him leave his lied. The crowd seemed to expect something of the kind, and looked anxiously for Mr. Munro. With strange temerity he had arrived, and soon was

walking up and down the rows of babies, beaming happiness, and smiling with apparent confidence. A motor-car at the main entrance, however, was assumed to be his intended means of flight, the moment. he had announced the awards. Or would he wait to announce them? Possibly for Mr. Munro’s benefit, the infants hau been carefully arranged in two long lines, hoys on one side, girls on the other. All the men present were grateful for this. Th* mothers whose children did not secure awards suppressed their emotions nobly when the results were declared, and a certificate of attendance was given to every baby present. Mrs. Field, one of the judges, expressed her opinion to a reporter that it was in all respects a splendid show. She did not think that any country could produce a better collection of tine, big, healthy babies. Nurse Fnsom. the other lady judge, also expressed her admiration of the size and comeliness of the ” exhibits.” Judging had been rendered very difficult, she said, by the surprising prevalence of good looks and weight. PRIZE LIST. The following is the prize-list:—• Finest and Healthiest Baby under six months of age: —Girls: Marie Prettijohns, 5A months, 1; Mrs. Deare’s child, 2; Olive E. Vincent, 5 months, 3. Boys: Iluia Boakes, 5 months. 1; Arthur Burns, 5 months, 2; Erick Brown, 4 niontsh 3 weeks, 3. Finest and Healthiest Baby over six months and under twelve months: —- Girls: Mrs. Pomeroy's child, 1’ months, 1; Winifred Riddell, 8£ months, 2; Margaret Harvey, 11 months, 3. Boys: Albert J. Harper, 6 months 2 weeks, 1; Clifford Baxter, 1U months, 2; Charles Anderson, 9 months, 3. Finest and Healthies Baby, over 12 months and under two years: —Girls: H. Pukehika, 1; Mrs. Fanning’s baby, 2; Eileen M. Brewer. 3. Boys: Colin Gardner, 1; Terena H. McComb, 2; B. L. M. Eaton. 3. Prettiest and Most Graceful Baby: • Girls: Helen T. Thompson, 18 months, 1; Olga. McGallan, 1 year and H months. 2; Vivian Upham. 1 year 7 months, 3. Boys: Horace Smith, 1 year 7 months. 1: Norman Porterfield. 2; Louis Grant, 1 year 10 months, 3. Best Developed Baby, under two years of age (open championship): — Girls: Kathleen Gordon, 1 year 3 months, I; Elsie M. Stevens, 1 year ] month. 2; Muiiam Lock, 1 year 5 months, 3. Boys: Noel Hannah, 1 year 3 weeks, 1 ; Austen J. Fraser, 1 year 11 months, 2; Edgar Adams, 8A months, 3. Finest Pair of Twins: —Mrs. Haberfield’s twin boys, 1 year 3 months, 1. Only one prize. Special Prize for Finest Baby over two years and under two and a half years: — Mrs. Round’s child, 2 years 2 months, 1; Mrs. Walker’s child. 2 years 19 days, 2; Valentine Stanton, 2 years five days, 3.